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Abstract:

A light source device includes a first heat dissipation structure, an LED
module, a heat energy convertor and a fan. The first heat dissipation
structure includes a heat dissipation base, a first fin group attached on
a top surface of the heat dissipation base. The LED module is attached on
a bottom surface of the heat dissipation base of the first heat
dissipation structure. The heat energy convertor is thermally connected
to the heat dissipation base of the first heat dissipation structure
through heat pipes, and configured for changing heat energy generated by
the LED module into kinetic energy. The fan is disposed over the first
fin group and driven by the heat energy convertor.

Claims:

1. A light source device comprising:a first heat dissipation structure
comprising a heat dissipation base, a first fin group attached on a top
surface of the heat dissipation base;an LED module attached on a bottom
surface of the heat dissipation base of the first heat dissipation
structure;a heat energy convertor thermally connected to the heat
dissipation base of the first heat dissipation structure, and configured
for changing heat energy generated by the LED module into kinetic energy;
anda fan disposed over the first fin group and driven by the heat energy
convertor.

2. The light source device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat energy
convertor is thermally connected to the heat dissipation base of the
first heat dissipation structure through at least one heat pipe.

3. The light source device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one
heat pipe comprises an evaporator embedded in the heat dissipation base,
a condenser thermally connecting with the heat energy converter and a
connection section connected between the evaporator and condenser.

4. The light source device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the evaporator
of the at least one heat pipe is received in at least one groove defined
in the top surface of the heat dissipation base of the first heat
dissipation structure.

5. The light source device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the evaporator
of the at least one heat pipe has a planar top surface coplanar with the
top surface of the dissipation base, thereby cooperatively defining a
flat top surface to support the first fin group thereon.

6. The light source device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the condenser of
the at least one heat pipe is thermally connected to heat energy
convertor through a heat absorbing element.

7. The light source device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the heat
absorbing element comprises a cylinder-shaped wall, a first through hole
surrounded by the cylinder-shaped wall, and at least one second through
hole longitudinally defined in the cylinder-shaped wall, the condenser of
the at least one heat pipe is received in the at least one second through
hole.

8. The light source device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the heat energy
convertor comprises a shell having a main body portion and a head portion
connected to the main body portion, a heat absorbing end of the main body
portion is received in the first through hole of the heat absorbing
element.

9. The light source device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat energy
convertor further comprises:a first piston movably disposed in the main
body portion, the first piston and the heat absorbing end cooperatively
defining a sealed chamber;a second piston movably disposed in the sealed
chamber to separate the sealed chamber into a heat absorbing chamber and
a heat dissipating chamber;a crankshaft-flywheel group contained in the
head portion and connected to the fan; anda crank-connecting rod group
configured for converting straight-line reciprocating motions of the
first and second pistons into a rotation of the crankshaft-flywheel
group.

10. The light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
crankshaft-flywheel group comprises an upper flywheel, a lower flywheel,
a first crankshaft upwardly and eccentrically extending from the upper
flywheel, a second crankshaft perpendicularly and eccentrically
interconnected between the first and second flywheels and a third
crankshaft downwardly extending from the second flywheel and connecting
to the fan, the first crankshaft is horizontally offset a distance in
relation to the second crankshaft, the second crankshaft is horizontally
offset a distance in relation to the third crankshaft, the third
crankshaft and the upper and lower flywheels are concentric.

11. The light source device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
crank-connecting rod group comprises a first crank-connecting rod and a
second crank-connecting rod, an end of the first crank-connecting rod is
connected to the second piston, and the other end of the first
crank-connecting rod is connected to the first crankshaft, an end of the
second crank-connecting rod is connected to the first piston, and the
other end of the second crank-connecting rod is connected to the second
crankshaft.

12. The light source device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a through hole
is defined in the first piston along an axis thereof to allow the first
crank-connecting rod to extend therethrough to connect the second piston.

13. The light source device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a
second heat dissipation structure having a heat dissipation barrel
sleeved on an external surface of the main body portion of the shell, and
a plurality of second fins outwardly extending from an outside surface of
the heat dissipation barrel.

14. The light source device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second
heat dissipation structure additionally comprises a bracket downwardly
extending from a lower portion of the heat dissipation barrel to support
the second heat dissipation structure and the shell over the first fin
group.

15. The light source device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first fin
group defines an opening to allow the bracket to extend therethrough to
be securely fixed on the top surface of the dissipation base of the first
heat dissipation structure.

16. A light source device comprising:a heat dissipation base;an LED module
attached on a bottom surface of the heat dissipation base;a heat energy
convertor thermally connected to a top surface of the heat dissipation
base for changing heat energy generated by the LED module into kinetic
energy; anda fan driven by the heat energy convertor to dissipate heat
generated by the LED module.

17. The light source device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the heat
energy convertor comprises a shell having a main body portion and a head
portion connected to the main body portion, a heat absorbing end of the
main body portion is thermally connected to the top surface of the heat
dissipation base.

18. The light source device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the heat
energy convertor further comprises:a first piston slideably disposed in
the main body portion, the first piston and the heat absorbing end
cooperatively defining a sealed chamber;a second piston slideably
disposed in the sealed chamber to separate the sealed chamber into a heat
absorbing chamber and a heat dissipating chamber;a crankshaft-flywheel
group contained in the head portion and connected to the fan; anda
crank-connecting rod group configured for converting straight-line
reciprocating motions of the first and second pistons into a rotation of
the crankshaft-flywheel group.

19. The light source device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the
crankshaft-flywheel group comprises an upper flywheel, a lower flywheel,
a first crankshaft eccentrically and upwardly extending from the upper
flywheel, a second crankshaft eccentrically and perpendicularly
interconnected between the first and second flywheels and a third
crankshaft downwardly extending from the second flywheel and connecting
to the fan, the third crankshaft and the upper and lower flywheels are
concentric.

20. The light source device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
crank-connecting rod group comprises a first crank-connecting rod and a
second crank-connecting rod, an end of the first crank-connecting rod is
connected to the second piston, and the other end of the first
crank-connecting rod is connected to the first crankshaft, an end of the
second crank-connecting rod is connected to the first piston, and the
other end of the second crank-connecting rod is connected to the second
crankshaft.

[0004]Recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used in light
source devices due to their high brightness, long life-span, and wide
color gamut. Generally, a light source device includes a number of LEDs,
and most of the LEDs are driven at the same time, which results in a
rapid accumulation of heat. Due to the rapid accumulation of heat, a
temperature of the light source device rises quickly, and therefore an
operation of the LEDs in the light source device may be instable.

[0005]In order to quickly dissipate the rapid accumulation of heat, heat
sinks are integrated into the light source device. A typical heat sink
includes a base contacting the LEDs to absorb heat therefrom and a number
of parallel planar fins soldered or adhered to the base. The fins
dissipate the heat into ambient atmosphere.

[0006]By merely depending on natural convention to dissipate the heat of
the LEDs, the heat sink must be very bulk and heavy, which adversely
limits the applications of the light source device. To use an electrical
fan to generate a forced airflow through the fins of the heat sink is not
reliable, since when the light source device is used in a severe
condition, such as in a highway, the electrical connection between the
fan and the power source is easily to be damaged. Finally, the mere
dissipation of the heat generated by the LEDs into the ambient air causes
a waste of the heat energy.

[0007]What is needed, therefore, is a light source device having a heat
dissipation module capable of recycling the dissipated heat which can
overcome the above-described problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008]An exemplary embodiment of a light source device includes an LED
module, a first heat dissipation structure, a second heat dissipation
structure, at least one heat pipe, a heat energy convertor and at least a
fan. The first heat dissipation structure includes a heat dissipation
base, a first fin group attached on a top surface of the heat dissipation
base. The LED module is attached on a bottom surface of the heat
dissipation base of the first heat dissipation structure. The heat energy
convertor is thermally connected to the heat dissipation base of the
first heat dissipation structure through the at least one heat pipe, and
configured for changing heat energy generated by the LED module into
kinetic energy. The fan is disposed over the first fin group and driven
by the heat energy convertor. The second heat dissipation structure is
configured for dissipating heat of the heat energy convertor.

[0009]Advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]Many aspects of the present embodiment can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are
not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiment. Moreover,
in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views.

[0011]FIG. 1 is an assembled view of a light source device in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012]FIG. 2 is an isometric, exploded view of the light source device of
FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is an inverted view of FIG. 2.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015]An embodiment will now be described in detail below and with
reference to the drawings.

[0016]Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a light source
device is shown. The light source device includes a heat dissipation
module 100 and an LED module 200. The heat dissipation module 100
includes a first heat dissipation structure 10, a second heat dissipation
structure 20, at least a heat pipe 30, a heat energy convertor 40 and at
least a fan 50. In the present embodiment, three heat pipes 31 and one
fan 50 are arranged in the heat dissipation module 100.

[0017]Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first heat dissipation structure
10 includes a rectangular heat dissipation base 12, and a first fin group
14 attached to a top surface 12a of the heat dissipation base 12. The LED
module 200 is attached to a bottom surface 12b of the heat dissipation
base 12. The LED module 200 includes a printed circuit board 220 and a
plurality of LEDs 240 arranged in an array and mounted on a bottom
surface of the printed circuit board 220. Three straight grooves 120 for
respectively receiving evaporators 32 of the three heat pipes 30 are
defined in the central portion of the top surface 12a, and spaced from
each other. The three straight grooves 120 extend in a lengthwise
direction of the heat dissipation base 12, and are parallel with each
other. Two securing holes 122 are defined in the heat dissipation base 12
at locations beside the middle straight groove 120 to allow two fasteners
300 to secure therein to thereby fix the second heat dissipation
structure 20 on the top surface 12a of the heat dissipation base 12. In
the preferred embodiment, the fasteners 300 are bolts.

[0018]Each of the three heat pipes 30 includes the evaporator 32, a
condenser 34 and a connection section 36 interconnecting the evaporator
and condenser 32, 34. A length of the evaporator 32 is longer than that
of the condenser 34. The evaporator 32 is received in a corresponding
straight groove 120, and has a planar top surface 321 coplanar with the
top surface 12a of the heat dissipation base 12. The planar top surfaces
321 of the evaporators 32 of the heat pipes 30 and the top surface 12a
cooperatively define a flat top surface to support the first fin group 14
thereon.

[0019]The first fin group 14 defines an opening 140 corresponding to a
position of the two securing holes 122 to allow a bracket 26 (which will
be more detailedly disclosed herebelow) of the second heat dissipation
structure 20 passing therethrough to fix the second heat dissipation
structure 20 on the top surface 12a of the heat dissipation base 12. The
first fin group 14 includes a number of L-shaped first fins 141. Each of
the first fins 141 has a sidewall 141a and a flange 141b perpendicularly
bent from a bottom end of the side wall 141a. The first fins 141 are
parallel with each other and stacked together. The flanges 141b ensure
that a distance maintained between adjacent first fins 141. The flanges
141b of all first fins 141 cooperatively define a flat bottom surface
which is soldered to the flat top surface defined by the planar top
surfaces 321 of the evaporators 32 of the heat pipes 30 and the top
surface 12a. Therefore, the flat bottom surface of the first fins 141 is
thermally and mechanically attached to the top surfaces 321 and top
surface 12a.

[0020]The condenser 34 has a free end 341 thermally connected to the heat
energy convertor 40 directly or through a connection element. In this
embodiment, the connection element is a cylinder-shaped heat absorbing
element 60. The heat absorbing element 60 has a cylinder-shaped wall 610
with a first through hole 620 defined in a center thereof. The
cylinder-shaped wall 610 is horizontally arranged over the first fin
group 14, and has a lower portion near the first fin group 14. Three
parallel second through holes 611 are longitudinally defined in the lower
portion of the heat absorbing element 60. The three second through holes
611 are configured for respectively receiving the condensers 34 of the
three heat pipes 30 therein. The first through hole 620 is configured for
receiving a corresponding part of the heat energy convertor 40 therein.
In this manner, the heat energy convertor 40 is thermally connected to
the first heat dissipation structure 10 through the three heat pipes 30.

[0021]Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the heat energy convertor 40
includes a shell 41 and a first piston 421, a second piston 422, a
crank-connecting rod group 43 and a crankshaft-flywheel group 44 arranged
in the shell 41. The shell 41 includes a cylinder-shaped main body
portion 411 for containing the first and second pistons 421, 422, a
cylinder-shaped head portion 412 for containing the crankshaft-flywheel
group 44, and a joint element 413 for connecting the main body portion
411 and the head portion 412 together. A heat absorbing end 4110 of the
main body portion 411 is received in the first through hole 620 of the
heat absorbing element 60. An axis of the main body portion 411 is
perpendicular to an axis of the head portion 412. In this manner, the
main body portion 411 is parallel with the first fin group 14, and the
head portion 412 is perpendicular to the first fin group 14.

[0022]The first piston 421 is column-shaped and received in a middle
position of the main body portion 411. An external wall of the first
piston 421 slideably contacts with an internal wall of the main body
portion 411, whereby the first piston 421 can move in the main body
portion 411 when a force is applied thereon. A sealed chamber 415 is
formed between the heat absorbing end 4110 of the main body portion 411
and the first piston 421, and a working gas (e.g., air) is provided in
the sealed chamber 415. The second piston 422 is column-shaped and
arranged in a middle position of the sealed chamber 415. As a result, the
sealed chamber 415 is divided into a heat absorbing chamber 4151 and a
heat dissipating chamber 4152 along a left-to-right direction as
illustrated in FIG. 4. Like the first piston 421, an external wall of the
second piston 422 slideably contacts with the internal wall of the main
body portion 411, whereby the second piston 422 can move in the sealed
chamber 415 of the main body portion 411.

[0023]The crank-connecting rod group 43 is configured for converting
straight-line reciprocating motions of the first and second pistons 421,
422 into a rotation of the crankshaft-flywheel group 44. The
crank-connecting rod group 43 includes a first crank-connecting rod 431
and a second crank-connecting rod 432. The crankshaft-flywheel group 44
has an integral configuration, and includes an upper flywheel 441a, a
lower flywheel 441b, a first crankshaft 442a, a second crankshaft 442b
and a third crankshaft 442c. The first crankshaft 442a perpendicularly
and upwardly extends from the upper flywheel 441a. The second crankshaft
442b is perpendicularly interconnected between the first and second
flywheels 441a, 441b. The first crankshaft 442a is eccentrically arranged
on the upper flywheel 411a and horizontally offset a distance in relation
to the second crankshaft 442b. The first and second crankshafts 442a,
442b each are offset a horizontal distance from the third crankshaft
442c. The first and second flywheels 441a, 441b and the third crankshaft
442c are concentric. The second crankshaft 442b eccentrically
interconnects the first and second flywheels 441a, 441b. As a result, the
upper and lower flywheels 441a, 441b can rotate around the third
crankshaft 442c. The third crankshaft 442c perpendicularly and downwardly
extends from a center of the second flywheel 441b. The fan 50 is fixed on
a free end of the third crankshaft 442c, and therefore can rotate
together with the third crankshaft 442c.

[0024]A through hole (not labeled) is defined in the first piston 421
along an axis thereof to allow the first crank-connecting rod 431 passing
therethrough to connect the second piston 422. An end of the first
crank-connecting rod 431 is connected to the second piston 422, and the
other end is connected to the first crankshaft 442a. An end of the second
crank-connecting rod 432 is connected to the first piston 421, the other
end is connected to the second crankshaft 442b.

[0025]The crankshaft-flywheel group 44 is arranged on a bottom inside of
the head portion 412 of the shell 41. A through hole (not labeled) is
defined in the bottom of the head portion 412 to allow the third
crankshaft 442c passing therethrough to connect to the fan 50. The third
crankshaft 442c is perpendicular to the first fin group 14, and the fan
50 is horizontally fixed over the first fin group 14.

[0026]The second heat dissipation structure 20 includes a heat dissipation
barrel 22, a number of second fins 24 outwardly extending from an outside
surface of the heat dissipation barrel 22, and the bracket 26 downwardly
extending from a lower portion of the heat dissipation barrel 22. The
heat dissipation barrel 22 is sleeved on an external surface of the main
body portion 411 of the shell 41, and located at a position corresponding
to the first piston 421 and the heat dissipation chamber 4152. That is,
the first piston 421 and the heat dissipation chamber 4152 are surrounded
by the heat dissipation barrel 22 to efficiently dissipate the heat. The
bracket 26 extends through the opening 140 defined in the first fin group
14 and is fixed on the top surface 12a of the heat dissipation base 12 by
the two bolts 300 respectively being screwed in two securing holes 122.
Thus, the second heat dissipation structure 20 and the heat energy
convertor 40 are fixed over the first fin group 14 through the bracket
26.

[0027]An operation of the light source device is detailed in the
following. In a first stage, the heat generated by the LED module 200 is
absorbed by the heat dissipation base 12, and transferred to the heat
absorbing element 60 through the three heat pipes 30. The heat absorbed
by the heat absorbing element 60 is transferred to the heat absorbing end
4110 of the main body portion 411, and therefore the working gas in the
heat absorbing chamber 4151 is heated to expand. Thus, a pressure of the
working gas rises and drives the second piston 422 to move right to the
first piston 421. The first crank-connecting rod 431 connected to the
second piston 422 is forced to push the first crankshaft 442a.

[0028]In a second stage, with the moving of the second piston 422, the
heated working gas in the heat absorbing chamber 4151 enters into the
heat dissipating chamber 4152; thus, pressure and temperature of the
working gas in heat dissipating chamber 4152 rise. Then the working gas
in heat dissipating chamber 4152 drives the first piston 421 to move
right away from the second piston 422. Therefore, the second
crank-connecting rod 432 connected to the first piston 421 is forced to
push the second crankshaft 442b. Due to the pushing of the first and
second crank-connecting rods 431, 432, the crankshaft-flywheel group 44
is forced to rotate, thereby driving the fan 50 to rotate.

[0029]In a third stage, the heat in the heat dissipating chamber 4152 is
dissipated by the second heat dissipation structure 20, and then the
first piston 421 will stop moving at a right dead point, while the
crankshaft-flywheel group 44 rotates continuously due to its inertial
characteristics. Thus, the first piston 421 is driven to move left to the
second piston 422, and the working gas in the heat dissipating chamber
4152 is compressed to generate heat, whereby the temperature and pressure
thereof rise. Then the second piston 422 is driven by the compressed
working gas in the heat dissipating chamber 4152 to move left away from
the first piston 421. Due to the continuous straight-line reciprocating
motions of the first and second pistons 421, 422, the first and second
crank-connecting rods 431, 432 respectively drive the first and second
crankshafts 442a, 442b to rotate continuously.

[0030]The above-described first, second and third stages are performed
repeatedly, the crankshaft-flywheel group 44 is driven to rotate
continuously. Thus, the fan 50 is driven by the third crankshaft 442c of
the crankshaft-flywheel group 44 to rotate continuously. Regarding the
light source device, in one aspect, the heat generated by the LED module
200 is dissipated by the combination of the first fin group 14 and the
fan 50. In another aspect, the heat generated by the LED module 200 is
transferred to the heat energy convertor 40 and utilized by the heat
energy convertor 40 to drive the fan 50 to rotate, thereby promoting the
heat dissipation of the first fin group 14. Thus, the heat generated by
the heat LED module 200 is dissipated, and the dissipated heat is
recycled. In addition, due to the dissipated heat is efficiently used,
the temperature of the surrounding environment of the light source device
can not raise, whereby a damage of the light source device or a shortened
lifespan thereof are prevented.

[0031]It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages
will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be
apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material
advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or
exemplary embodiments of the invention.